Effect of Plant Population on the Growth of Hybrid-Maize ...

Abstract— A field experiment was conducted during 2014 and

2015 rainy season at Tudun Wada, Kano and Samaru, Zaria in the

Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria in order to study the Effect of

plant population on the growth of hybrid-maize. The experiment

consisted of two plant populations of 53,333 plantha-1 and 88,888

plantsha-1 as main plot and 8 drought–tolerant maize hybrids and 2

controls as sub-plot laid out in a randomized split plot design and

replicated three times. Growth responses were significantly affected

by plant populations at both locations. Interaction between hybrids

and plant population was significantly affected. Based on these

results, increasing plant population significantly increased the

physiological activities and decrease the phenology of hybrid-maize.

However newer hybrids were more tolerant to high plant population

than the older hybrids. Therefore the recently released hybrids were

more adapted to biotic stresses.

Keywords— hybrid-maize, phenology, physiology and plant

population.

I. INTRODUCTION

Maize (Zea mays (L.)) belongs to the monocotyledonous

family “Poaceae” that embraces all cereal crops. It is an

annual short days, cross pollinated crop having an erect stem

which bear alternate leaves tassel at the top and auxiliary

female inflorescence known as ear in the middle (Azam,

2007). Based on area and production, maize is ranked the third

most important cereal crop after wheat and rice (Kling, 1996).

Maize is an important crop for security, serving as cash and

food crop and recently replacing some crops, such as sorghum

in Nigeria, as the most consumed cereal. It is consumed as a

vegetable although it is a grain crop Higher planting densities

obviously create greater competition for input resources such

as solar radiation capture, nutrient and water acquisition in

densely packed root systems (Scheiner et al., 2000).

Population density, whether directly on the plant or indirectly

on biotic factors associated with plant density is one of the

most important factors in determining grain yield and other

agronomic attributes of a crop (Sangoi, 2001).

Other researchers have investigated the agronomic

responses, reproductive and biochemical responses of the

drought tolerant hybrid. To the best of our knowledge, there

are no known public and physiology-focused research

publications that have investigated these recently released

drought-tolerant hybrids. In response to these challenges, there

Abubakar, A.W.1 Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University

Dutse, P.M.B, 7156 Jigawa- Nigeria.

Manga, A.A.2 Department of Agronomy, Bayero University, P.M.B. 3011

Kano-Nigeria.

is need to conduct further studies that are fundamental to

identify the contribution of morphological, physiological,

phenological and allometric traits to the putative improvement

of modern-hybrids tolerance to high plant population densities.

A deeper understanding of the physiological determinants of

maize endurance to the population may play a pivotal role to

accomplish greater yield plateau by revealing ways to achieve

a better resource use and capture in the next decades. The

study was therefore conducted to determine the physiological

responses of hybrid-maize under high population density.

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was conducted in two locations at Samaru

Zaria (110 11

’ N and 7

0 38

’ E) and Tudun Wada (11

0 11

’ N, 8

0

24’ E) in the northern Guinea Savanna. The experiment

consisted of two plant population levels (88,888, and 53,333

plantsha-1

) at 15cm and 25cm intra row spacing, as main plot

with ten maize varieties (8 drought-tolerant maize hybrids and

two controls) as the sub-plot. Each plot size measured 3 m × 5

m (15 m2) consisting of 4 rows of 0.75 m apart and 5 m in

length, while the net plot size measured 1.5 m × 5 m (7.5 m2).

Alley way of 0.75 m between plots and 2 m between

replications giving a total area of 1848.75 m2 per replication

and 5981.25 m2

for the gross experimental area. The land was

ploughed and ridged with work bulls mounted with plough.

The ridges were made 0.75 m apart and the plots were then

laid out as per the number of treatment. Four seeds were

planted per holes and thinned to 2 plants per stand. The first

dose of Nitrogen at the rate of 15 and 60Kg N/ha was applied

at 1WAS (weeks after sowing), using NPK 15:15:15. Nitrogen

through urea granules (46%) was applied at 4 WAS using band

application. After planting, the area was sprayed with pre-

emergence herbicide Gramoxone (1:1-dimethyl-4, 4-

bipyrisdinum dichloride, manufactured by Syngenta Crop

protection AG, Switzerland) at the rate of 276 g a.i/liter and 2

liters/ha. Weeding was done at 3 WAS, using a hoe. At 6

WAS, weeding was done by hand pulling method. Pests and

diseases attacks were treated using appropriate agrochemicals

at the recommended rates. Harvesting was carried out when

the cob reached maturity, from the net plot i.e the two inner

most middle rows in the plots. Soil samples from all the

locations (Shika, Zaria and Tudun Wada) were collected at 0-

15 cm and 15 -30 cm depths prior to nitrogen

application/planting and these were analyzed for physico-

chemical properties; texture, available P, total N, pH, organic

carbon and exchangeable bases. Data on rainfall was utilized

in the two locations for the purpose of this study. This was

determined using Weather Stations device (2000 Series,

Effect of Plant Population on the Growth of Hybrid-Maize (Zea Mays L.) in

The Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

Abubakar, A.W.1 and Manga, A.A.

2

Int’l Journal of Advances in Chemical Engg., & Biological Sciences (IJACEBS) Vol. 4, Issue 1 (2017) ISSN 2349-1507 EISSN 2349-1515

https://doi.org/10.15242/IJACEBS.C0417007 134

Spectrum Technologies, USA). Data was collected from the

two middle rows and a distance of two stands at the ends of

each middle row was allowed to serve as borders.

Observations were made and data was collected for growth

and physiological parameters.

Data were collected on the following parameters:

Number of Plants per Net Plot: plants were counted at the

onset of tasselling from the two inner most rows in each plot.

Plant height at maturity (cm): At maturity, five plants

were selected randomly from each plot. Their height was

measured from the soil surface to the tip of panicle / flag leaf

with the help of a meter rod and average height and ear were

calculated.

Chlorophyll content: was estimated using Minolta

chlorophyll meter (SPAD 502, Illinois U.S.A).

Intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)

and leaf area index (LAI): were measured simultaneously

during flowering using a Ceptometer (Decagon Devices, Inc.

Pullman, USA).

Number of days to 50% tasseling: number of the days

from sowing to when 50% of the plants in the net plot had

tassels (Anthesis Date) was taken and recorded.

Number of days to 50% silking: number of days from

sowing to when 50% of the plants in the net plot had silk

extrusion (Silking Date) was taken and recorded.

Anthesis-silking interval (ASI): was calculated as the

interval in days between 50% anthesis and 50% silking.

Number of days to maturity: number of days from sowing

to when 95% of the cobs in the net plot reached physiological

maturity (turn brown) was taken and recorded.

The data thus obtained were subjected to the analysis of

variance technique by using GENSTAT computer software

and means were separated by LSD test. RESULTS AND

III. DISCUSSION

Plant height at maturity (cm): Plant height is an important

component which helps in determining the growth attained

during the growing period. The data showed that plant height

was not significantly affected by plant population in 2014

(Table-1). Tajul et al., (2013) speculated that high density is

sometimes undesirable because it encourages inter plants

competition for resources. Interaction among hybrids was

significantly affected in terms of plant height at both Tudun

Wada and Zaria. The tallest plants (200.30 cm) were recorded

with hybrid M1026-10, which were, however, statistically at

par with hybrids M0926-8 (187.00cm) and M1227-12

(190.70cm). Short statured plants (173.20cm) was recorded

with hybrid M0826-7 due to crowding effect of the plant and

higher intra-specific competition for resources. In 2015, data

on table 7 showed that plant height was not significantly

affected by plant population and interaction between plant

population and hybrids at both Tudun Wada and Zaria.

Hybrids significantly differ in their plant height at Zaria.

Hybrid M0826-7 (194.10) recorded tallest plants and shortest

plant height was recorded with hybrid M1124-4 (171.60).

Although there was no significant difference observed, plant

height increased with increased plant population. Aldrich et

al., (1986) reported that tall and leafy cultivars require low

density to maximize grain yield per area.

Chlorophyll content: data on chlorophyll content of maize

revealed non-significant effect on main effects, hybrids and

their interaction at both Tudun Wada and Zaria in 2014 (table-

1). Higher plant densities enhance interplant competition for

assimilates, water and nutrients (Kamara et al., 2006). In

contrary, Tajul et al., (2013) showed that plant population

exerted significant influence on chlorophyll values in leaves,

higher values were obtained from sparsely populated plants

(53,000 plants ha-1

) However, significant interaction between

plant population and hybrids was observed at Zaria, hybrid

M1227-14 (57.49) recorded the highest chlorophyll content at

plant population of 53,333 plants ha-1

and hybrid M1026-13

(53.76) recorded the highest at plant population of 88,888

plantsha-1

. In 2015, there was also non-significant effect on

main effects, hybrids and their interaction at both Tudun Wada

and Zaria (table-6). Hybrids significantly differ in their in their

chlorophyll content at Zaria, hybrid M0826-7 (47.15) recorded

the highest chlorophyll content and hybrid obasuper-1 (39.88)

recorded the lowest chlorophyll content.

Leaf area index (LAI): LAI is an important parameter of

maize. The data regarding LAI as affected by plant population

are given in table-1. It is revealed that LAI was not

significantly affected by plant population. Interaction among

hybrids was significantly affected in terms leaf area index at

Tudun Wada in 2014 but not significantly different at Zaria

(table 3), highest leaf area index was recorded with hybrid

M1026-13 (3.55) and lowest with hybrid obasuper-1 (2.11) at

plant population of 88,888 plantsha-1

. Sangoi et al., (2002)

speculated that hybrids vary in plant height, leaf number, leaf

area, leaf length and leaf area along the main stem. Valadabadi

and Farahani (2010) investigated that leaf area is influenced by

genotype, plant population, climate and soil fertility. They

further reported that highest physiological growth indices are

achieved under high plant density, because photosynthesis

increases by development of leaf area. In our research, the

increase in LAI explains the general crop trends that increasing

plant density increases leaf area index on account of more area

occupied by green canopy of plants per unit area. Previous

research findings also indicated that in high maize density, leaf

area index, total dry weight and crop growth rate increased

than low maize density throughout crop growth season

(Saberali, 2007). In 2015, leaf area index was not significantly

affected by plant population, interaction among hybrids was

also not significantly affected in terms leaf area index at both

Tudun Wada and Zaria.

Photosynthetic active radiation (par): Photosynthetic

active radiation was not significantly affected by the main

effects of plant population, but significantly affected hybrids

and the interaction between plant population and hybrids at

Tudun Wada. Scheiner et al., (2000) postulated that higher

planting densities create greater competition for input

resources such as solar radiation capture, nutrient and water

acquisition in densely packed root systems. Highest

photosynthetic active radiation (table 4) and interaction



between plant population and hybrids was recorded with

hybrid M1026-13 (0.80) and lowest with hybrid obasuper-1

(0.68) at plant population of 88,888 plantsha-1

at Tudun Wada

in 2014 but was not significantly different at Zaria. In 2015,

photosynthetic active radiation was significantly affected by

the main effects at Zaria, plant population of 88,888 plantsha-1

(0.77) recorded the highest par while plant population of

53,333 plants ha-1

(0.65) recorded the lowest par.

Photosynthetic active radiation was not significantly affected

by hybrids and the interaction between plant population and

hybrids at both TudunWada and Zaria. This trend explains that

as the number of plants increased in a given area the

competition among the plants for nutrients uptake and sunlight

interception also increased (Sangakkara et al., 2004).

Days to flowering: Perusal of the data regarding days to

flowering in 2014, revealed non- significant effect for plant

population, hybrids and interaction between plant population

and hybrids differ significantly (Table-4). Hybrids M0826-7

and Obasuper-1 took maximum days to flowering (88 and 89)

and hybrid M1227-12 took minimum days to flowering (82) at

Tudun Wada. Similarly interaction between plant population

and hybrids indicated that hybrid Obasuper-1 took maximum

(90) days to flowering at both plant populations of 88,888 and

53,333 plants ha-1

at Tudun Wada in 2014. At Zaria, data

regarding days to flowering revealed non-significant effect for

plant population, hybrids and their interaction. In 2015, data

on table 7 revealed non- significant effect on among hybrids

and their interaction at both locations. However there was

significant effect observed on days to flowering on main

effects at Tudun Wada. Plant population of 53,333 plants ha-1

indicated maximum flowering (67) and minimum flowering

(63) was recorded with plant population of 88,888 plantsha

-1 .

Days to silking: Data regarding days to silking of maize are

presented in Table-4. Statistical analysis of the data indicated

that plant population did not significantly affected days to

silking. Hybrids and their interaction hybrid x plant population

significantly affected days to silking. Mean values of the

hybrids indicated that maximum (93 and 92) days to silking

were recorded for hybrids obasuper-1 and M1026-13 and

minimum value was recorded for hybrid M1227-12 (86). This

work is in line with the work of Kamara et al., (2006), days to

silking increased with increase in plant population. Mean

values for plant population and hybrids interaction also

depicted that plant population of 88,888 and 53,333 plants ha-1

took maximum days to silking (90 and 89) with hybrid

obasuper-1 and minimum value was recorded with hybrid

M1227-12 at (83 and 81) at Tudun Wada in 2014. Modern

hybrids showed greater tolerance than older hybrids. The

fewer days to silking among hybrids demonstrated the loss of

synchrony between male and female inflorescence, which was

less pronounced in the modern hybrids at dense stands

(Kamara et. al., 2006). Statistical analysis of the data indicated

that hybrids, plant population and their interaction hybrid x

plant population did not significantly affected days to silking

at Zaria. In 2015 data regarding days to silking of maize are

presented in Table-7. Statistical analysis of the data indicated

that plant population did not significantly affected days to

silking of hybrids and their interaction hybrid x plant

population at Zaria. But there was significant effect on days to

silking on main effects. Plant population of 53,333 plants ha-1

indicated maximum silking (70) and minimum silking (66) was

recorded with plant population of

88,888 plantsha-1

at Tudun

Wada. Maximum silking was also significantly recorded with

hybrid obasuper-1 (69) and minimum silking (66) with hybrid

M1026-10.

Anthesis-silking interval (asi): data on table 4 shows the

anthesis-silking interval of maize as affected by plant

population in 2014 (table-4). Statistical analysis of the data

indicated that plant population did not significantly affected

anthesis-silking interval at both Tudun Wada and Zaria.

Hybrids did not significantly differ in their anthesisi-silking

interval at Zaria. At Tudun Wada, hybrid oba-98, M1026-10

and M1026-13 recorded delayed asi. Modern hybrids showed

greater tolerance than older hybrids. The shorter anthesis-

silking interval among hybrids demonstrated the loss of

synchrony between male and female inflorescence, which was

less pronounced in the modern hybrids at dense stands

(Kamara et. al., 2006) Interaction among hybrids was

significantly affected in terms of anthesis-silking interval of

maize at both locations. Hybrid Oba 98 showed delayed

anthesis–silking interval at plant population of 88,888 plants

ha-1

(table 5) showing that it is less tolerant to the stress.

Increase in plant population lengthened the anthesis-silking

interval more drastically for the older hybrids than the modern

hybrids (Sangoi et al., 2002). At Zaria, hybrid M1124-4

showed delayed anthesis-silking interval at plant population of

53,333 plants ha-1

. Hybrid Oba super-1 showed delayed

anthesis-silking interval at plant population of 88,888 plants

ha-1

. In 2015, however there was no significant effect observed

among hybrids and their interaction at both locations (table-7).

Significant effect was observed on the main effect on asi at

Tudun Wada. Plants grown under plant population of 53,333

plants ha-1

recorded minimum asi (3) and maximum asi (4) was

recorded with plant population of 88,888 plants ha-1

. This

work is in line with the work of sangoi et al., (2002) who

reported that maize protandrous development pattern at dense

stands increases the anthesis-silking interval. Kamar et al.,

2006 speculated that high plant densities increases anthesis-

silking interval.

Days to maturity: Phenological development varied

slightly due to different planting dates and climate conditions.

Days to maturity was not significantly affected by hybrids and

their interaction at both locations in 2014 and 2015 (table-4

and table-7). Significant effect was observed at Zaria in 2015

on plant population in terms of days to maturity. Plant grown

under 53,333 plants ha-1

took longer days (98) to mature while

those grown under plant population of 88,888 plants ha-1

took

shorter days (96) to mature.

IV. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Based on the results of this study, increasing plant population

did not significantly affect the physiological activities of

maize-hybrids. High plant densities above 53,333 plants ha-1

increased the phenology of maize-hybrids which is

characteristic of maize-hybrids under stress. Interaction was

more pronounced at Tudun Wada than at Zaria during the year



2014 which may be due to climate and weather conditions of

the experimental area. There were no interactions in the year

2015 which may be due to differences in climate and weather

conditions among the years. However hybrids responded

differently to plant population. The newer hybrids were more

tolerant to high plant population than the older hybrids. This

may be due to the fact that the maize hybrids evaluated were

selected at high plant population and were therefore tolerant to

plant population stress. Further experiments should be

conducted considering different plant population to fully

exploit the growth parameters of maize crop under local

conditions as increasing number of drought-tolerant hybrids

are being developed.

TABLE I:

EFFECT OF POPULATION ON PLANT HEIGHT, CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT, LEAF AREA INDEX AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC ACTIVE RADIATION OF MAIZE AT TUDUN

WADA AND ZARIA IN 2014 RAINY SEASON. TudunWada Zaria

Treatments Plant

Height

(cm)

Chlorop

hyll

Content

(Spad)

Leaf

Area

Index

(mm2)

IPAR Plant

Height

(cm)

Chlorop

hyll

Content

(Spad)

Leaf

Area

Index

(mm2)

IPAR

Population ha-1

53,333 184.20 36.90 2.19 0.72 210.10 52.69 2.67 0.90

88,888 181.70 34.86 2.78 0.77 216.10 51.60 3.01 0.77

SE(±) 8.257 0.588 0.162 0.025 2.687 0.835 0.591 0.019

Hybrid

M0826-7 173.20 cd 32.77 2.63 abc 0.77 ab 201.10 bc 51.55 3.05 0.62

M0926-8 187.00 abc 35.26 2.14 c 0.69 cde 224.70 a 51.09 3.45 0.84

M1026-10 200.30 a 36.87 2.56 abc 0.75 a-d 216.40 a 50.74 3.07 0.78

M1026-13 182.00 bcd 38.80 2.84 a 0.80 a 221.40 a 53.59 3.31 0.79

M1124-10 183.80 bcd 38.85 2.22 bc 0.71 a-e 214.60 a 54.06 2.80 0.74

M1124-4 169.10 d 37.74 2.32 abc 0.69 de 191.60 c 50.28 2.35 0.67

M1227-12 190.70 ab 37.09 2.68 abc 0.79 a 216.70 a 50.78 2.89 0.78

M1227-14 183.90 bcd 36.40 2.68 abc 0.76 abc 217.80 a 55.07 2.28 0.69

Oba-98 182.30 bcd 33.02 2.56 abc 0.76 ab 212.20 ab 52.65 2.45 0.68

Obasuper-1 177.20 bcd 31.99 2.14 c 0.68 e 214.50 a 51.67 2.75 0.69

SE(±) 6.317 3.400 0.213 0.029 5.287 1.949 0.435 0.077S

Interaction

P*H * NS * * * * NS NS

Means followed by the same letter(s) within columns are not significantly different using DMRT

NS= Not significant at 5% level of confidence

TABLE II: INTERACTION BETWEEN POPULATION AND HYBRIDS ON PLANT HEIGHT, LEAF AREA INDEX AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC ACTIVE RADIATION OF HYBRIDS AT

TUDUN WADA DURING 2014 RAINY SEASON.

Means followed by the same letter(s) within columns are not significantly different using Fisher’s protected LSD

Treatments Plant Height

(cm)

Chlorophyll content

(Spad)

Plant Population

Hybrids 53,333/ha 88,888/ha 53,333/ha 88,888/ha

M0826-7 198.0 de 204.2 b-e 54.19 ab 48.91 b

M0926-8 222.1 a 227.3 a 49.38 b 52.79 ab

M1026-10 217.3 abc 215.4 abc 51.83 ab 49.65 b

M1026-13 216.4 abc 226.3 a 53.42 ab 53.76 ab

M1124-10 214.2 a-d 215.0 a-d 54.53 ab 53.59 ab

M1124-4 189.5 e 193.6 e 51.66 ab 48.91 b

M1227-12 214.3 a-d 219.1 ab 52.33 ab 49.23 b

M1227-14 213.7 a-d 221.9 a 57.49 a 52.65 ab

Oba 98 201.6 d-e 222.7 a 51.69 ab 53.61 ab

Oba super-1

214.1 a-d

214.9 a-d

50.39 b

52.95 ab

SE± 8.101 2.929



TABLE III: INTERACTION BETWEEN POPULATION AND HYBRIDS ON PLANT HEIGHT, CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT AND OF HYBRIDS AT ZARIA IN 2014 RAINY SEASON


TABLE IV: EFFECT OF POPULATION ON NUMBER OF DAYS TO 50% FLOWERING, NUMBER OF DAYS TO 50% SILKING, ANTHESIS-SILKING INTERVAL (ASI) AND

NUMBER OF DAYS TO 95% MATURITY OF MAIZE AT TUDUN WADA AND ZARIA IN 2014 RAINY SEASON

Means followed by the same letter(s) within columns are not significantly different using DMRT.


TABLE V: INTERACTION BETWEEN POPULATION AND HYBRIDS ON DAYS TO FLOWERING, DAYS TO SILKING, ANTHESIS- SILKING INTERVAL OF HYBRIDS AT TUDUN

WADA AND ZARIA DURING 2014 RAINY SEASON


Plant Height

(cm)

Leaf Area Index

(mm2)

Photosynthetic active

Radiation

Treatments Plant Population

Hybrids 53,333/ha 88,888/ha 53,333/ha 88,888/ha 53,333/ha 88,888/ha

M0826-7 178.30 a-h 168.10 c-h 2.47 c-f 2.79 bcd 0.74 a-i 0.79 abc

M0926-8 183.60 a-f 190.30 ab 1.73 gh 2.55 c-f 0.65 i 0.72 c-i

M1026-10 184.30 a-f 179.60 a-h 2.47 c-f 2.65 b-f 0.73 a-i 0.76 a-g

M1026-13 197.30 ab 203.30 a 2.13d-g 3.55 a 0.76 a-h 0.83 a

M1124-10 190.20 abc 177.30 b-h 2.08 dfg 2.37 c-g 0.72 b-i 0.69 d-i

M1124-4 177.90 a-h 160.30 d-h 1.34 h 3.29 ab 0.52 j 0.82 ab

M1227-12 186.0 a-d 195.40 ab 2.37c-g 2.99 abc 0.78 a-d 0.78 a-d

M1227-14 186.70 a-d 181.10 b-g 2.37 c-g 2.76 b-f 0.74 a-i 0,79 a-f

Oba 98 179,60 a-h 185.10 a-e 2.78 b-e 2.69 b-f 0.77 a-f 0.76 a-i

Oba super-1 178.10 a-h 176.30 b-h 2.16 d-g

2.11 efg 0.67 gi 0.68 d-I

SE± 13.828 0.362 0.052

TudunWada Zaria

Treatments Days to Days to Anthesis – Days to Days to Days to Anthesis- Days to

flowering silking silking interval maturity flowering silking silking interval maturity

Population ha-1

53,333 85.97 89.40 3.43 128.90 62.20 64.60 2.40 110.67

88,888 85.00 89.30 4.30 118.70 62.53 63.77 1.23 110.93

SE(±) 0.333 0.954 1.026 9.282 0.896 0.731 0.165 0.589

Hybrid

M0826-7 88.00ab 90.50 bc 2.67 b 138.80 63.33 64.83 1.50 110.50

M0926-8 84.83cde 88.50 cde 3.67 ab 119.70 61.17 63.17 2.00 110.67

M1026-10 85.17 cd 90.00 bc 4.83 a 119.70 61.33 63.00 1.67 110.67

M1026-13 87.00 bc 92.00 ab 5.00 a 113.70 63.67 65.67 2.00 110.50

M1124-10 85.33 cd 89.17cde 3.83 ab 129.00 61.83 63.67 1.83 111.00

M1124-4 83.50 de 87.33 def 3.83 ab 124.20 60.00 62.33 2.33 111.00

M1227-12 82.50 e 86.17 f 3.67 ab 114.20 61.50 63.67 2.17 111.00

M1227-14 84.50 cde 86.83 ef 2.33 b 129.00 62.83 64.00 1.17 111.17

Oba-98 84.67 cde 89.67 bcd 5.00 a 119.70 63.17 64.33 1.17 110.50

Obasuper-1 89.50 a 93.33 a 3.83 ab 130.00 64.83 63.67 2.33 110.50

SE(±) 0.992 0.980 0.730 8.254 1.242 1.376 0.487 0.399

P*H * * * NS NS NS * NS

Tudun Wada Zaria

Days to flowering Days to silking Anthesis-silking interval Anthesis-silking interval

Treatments Plant Population

Hybrids 53,333/ha 88,888/ha 53,333/ha 88,888/ha 53,333/ha 88,888/ha 53,333/ha 88,888/ha

M0826-7 87.00 a-d 87.00 a-e 92.00abc 89.00 b-i 3.33 a-h 2.00 d-h 1.67 c-f 1.33 def

M0926-8 85.00 de 84.00 def 88.00 d-i 88.00 c-i 3.00 a-h 4.00 a-f 3.00 abc 1.00 ef

M1026-10 85.00 de 85.00 de 89.00 b-g 90.00 b-e 4.00 a-g 5.00 ab 2.33 b-e 1.00 ef

M1026-13 87.00 a-d 87.00 a-d 92.00 abc 92.00 a-d 5.00 a-d 5.00 abc 2.67 a-d 1.33 def

M1124-10 85.00 de 85.00 cde 89.00 c-i 89.00b-h 4.00 a-h 3.00 a-h 3.00 abc 0.67 f

M1124-4 84.00 def 83.00 ef 87.00 e-i 87.00 e-i 3.00 a-h 4.00 a-e 4.00 a 0.67 f

M1227-12 83.00 ef 81.00 f 86.00 hi 86.00 gi 3.00 a-h 4.00 a-f 3.00 abc 1.33 def

M1227-14 85.00 de 84.00 d-f 86.00 e-i 87.00 f-i 1.00 a-h 3.00 b-h 1.67 c-f 0.67 f

Oba 98 86.00 b-e 83.00 ef 90.00 a-f 89.00 b-i 4.00 a-g 5.00 a 1.33 def 1.00 ef

Oba super-1 90.00 a 89.00 ab 92.00 ab 94.00 a 2.00 a-h 5.00 abc 1.33 def 3.33ab

SE± 1.518 1.816 1.686 9.029



TABLE 6: EFFECT OF POPULATION ON PLANT HEIGHT, CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT, LEAF AREA INDEX AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC ACTIVE RADIATION (PAR) OF HYBRID

MAIZE AT TUDUN WADA AND ZARIA IN 2015 RAINY SEASON.



TABLE VII: EFFECT OF POPULATION ON DAYS TO FLOWERING, DAYS TO SILKING, ANTHESIS-SILKING INTERVAL (ASI) AND DAYS TO MATURITY OF MAIZE AT TUDUN

WADA AND ZARIA IN 2015 RAINY SEASON

TudunWada Zaria

Treatments Days to

flowering

Days to

silking

Anthesis –

silking

interval

Days to

maturity

Days to

flowering

Days to

silking

Anthesis-

silking

interval

Days to maturity

Population ha-1

53,333 67.00a 70.00a 3.00b 96.00 62.00 64.00 2.00 98.00a

88,888 63.00b 66.00b 4.00a 94.00 61.00 63.00 2.00 96.00b

SE± 0.088 0.103 0.022 0.057 0.124 0.104 0.062 0.043

Hybrid

M0826-7 66.00 69.00 ab 4.00 96.00 62.00 64.00 2.00 98.00

M0926-8 66.00 68.00 bc 2.00 97.00 61.00 64.00 2.00 96.00

M1026-10 63.00 66.00 c 3.00 97.00 62.00 65.00 2.00 98.00

M1026-13 65.00 68.00 bc 3.00 96.00 62.00 65.00 2.00 96.00

M1124-10 65.00 69.00 abc 4.00 83.00 61.00 63.00 2.00 99.00

M1124-4 63.00 67.00 bc 4.00 94.00 62.00 65.00 3.00 97.00

M1227-12 65.00 68.00 bc 3.00 96.00 64.00 65.00 1.00 96.00

M1227-14 65.00 68.00 bc 3.00 98.00 62.00 63.00 1.00 97.00

Oba-98 65.00 68.00 bc 3.00 96.00 62.00 64.00 1.00 100.00

Obasuper-1 67.00 69.00 a 4.00 97.00 60.00 63.00 2.00 98.00

SE± 0.373 0.321 0.297 2.099 0.377 0.445 0.306 0.376

Interaction

P*H NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS



TudunWada Zaria

Treatments Plant Height

(cm)

Chlorophyll

Content

(Spad)

Leaf Area Index

(mm2)

Par Plant Height

(cm)

Chlorophyll

Content

(Spad)

Leaf Area Index

(mm2)

Par

Population ha-1

53,333 165.30 42.61 1.53 0.86 178.70 43.78 2.08 0.65 b

88,888 166.20 37.98 1.50 0.84 186.20 43.03 3.02 0.77 a

SE± 5.461 2.066 3.544 5.022 0.532 0.122 0.052 4.787

Hybrids

M0826-7 158.40 39.45 1.34 0.78 194.10 a 47.15 a 2.48 0.71

M0926-8 170.50 38.90 1.57 0.85 181.50 abc 45.35 ab 2.40 0.68

M1026-10 166.00 39.90 1.50 0.86 177.60 bc 43.65 abc 2.92 0.77

M1026-13 168.60 42.58 1.63 0.88 180.00 bc 42.50 bc 2.42 0.70

M1124-10 165.60 41.07 1.54 0.84 188.00 ab 43.55 abc 3.40 0.79

M1124-4 164.20 39.57 1.66 0.88 171.60 c 42.78 bc 2.18 0.65

M1227-12 168.90 43.43 1.60 0.88 178.60 bc 43.87 abc 2.77 0.81

M1227-14 166.80 37.98 1.55 0.89 188.20 ab 43.85 abc 3.00 0.77

Oba-98 166.50 40.27 1.48 0.85 185.50 ab 41.43 bc 2.26 0.60

Obasuper-1 161.80 39.80 1.28 0.82 179.30 bc 39.88 c 2.04 0.66

SE± 2.365 0.881 0.046 0.131 1.764 0.588 0.138 0.027

Interaction

P*H NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS



Daily Weather Data for Tudun Wada (January to December, 2014)

Daily Weather Data for Tudun Wada (January to December, 2015)

Daily Weather Data for Zaria (March to December, 2014)

Daily Weather Data for Zaria (March to December, 2015)

MONTH Rainfall Tmin Tmax RH min RH max Solar Rad Wind speed Wind direc. Wind gust

(mm) (°C) (°C) (%) (%) (MJ/m²/day) Km/h (Deg) Km/h

march 12.816 35.702 6.734 43.507 21.618 2.194 272.387 6.489 10.563

april 16.818 33.262 7.492 27.990 22.156 4.383 278.666 10.808 13.955 may 2.306 22.265 35.080 15.986 77.248 21.273 3.831 198.034 10.059 june 17.950 37.637 5.266 32.064 29.583 4.154 282.439 10.497 14.102 July 1.532 22.201 34.348 40.309 90.395 24.625 6.723 154.635 16.054 August 2.223 21.682 31.505 43.216 91.464 22.553 8.152 135.961 17.423 september 3.865 20.722 27.545 61.181 97.021 17.941 5.492 148.349 13.005 October 10.603 20.544 28.769 60.622 98.179 16.651 2.874 163.474 8.086 november 9.657 20.897 30.986 50.641 97.905 22.274 0.702 197.948 4.788 december 1.910 19.368 33.671 19.919 94.566 23.278 0.647 243.748 2.928

MONTH Rainfall Tmin Tmax RH min RH max Wind direc. Wind gust Wind speed

(mm) (°C) (°C) (%) (%) (Deg) Km/h Km/h

March 0.455 20.771 36.910 9.365 41.732 242.698 10.969 3.993 April 1.320 24.037 37.690 20.753 63.940 125.004 14.551 4.963 May 4.187 23.787 34.603 31.777 79.035 131.563 13.099 4.050 June 5.153 22.273 33.310 39.593 84.663 103.272 13.904 4.325 July 8.035 21.681 30.371 52.845 92.187 125.663 11.922 3.367 august 8.584 20.929 29.484 55.197 96.274 145.708 8.937 1.863 september 6.170 20.480 31.110 50.013 96.270 166.192 7.285 1.033 october 0.781 18.706 33.597 26.874 95.158 245.524 5.378 0.800 november 0 13.260 33.530 10.360 80.300 291.890 5.8625 1.676 december 0 11.479 29.897 9.148 58.169 298.727 3.642 0.996

MONTH Rainfall Tmin Tmax RH min RH max Wind direc. Wind gust Wind speed

(mm) (°C) (°C) (%) (%) (Deg) Km/h Km/h

march 11.15 23.543 37.072 11.386 62.289 242.698 10.969 3.397 april 0.000 16.855 38.470 6.5103 29.640 125.004 14.551 3.920 may 10.05 24.858 37.681 26.438 77.256 131.563 13.099 4.790 june 12.10 22.709 32.694 39.294 83.363 103.272 13.904 5.667 july 7.840 21.469 29.192 51.665 90.393 125.663 11.922 3.526 august 16.20 21.508 29.166 57.102 95.999 145.708 8.937 1.626 september 10.02 21.233 32.008 49.382 95.997 166.192 7.285 1.047 october 1.45 20.074 35.487 13.212 87.471 245.524 5.378 0.061 november 0.00 10.841 32.591 7.954 72.630 291.890 5.862 2.153 december 0.00 10.924 24.753 8.666 41.550 298.727 3.642 5.011

MONTH Rainfall Tmin Tmax RH min RH max Solar Rad Wind speed Wind direc. Wind gust

(mm) (°C) (°C) (%) (%) (MJ/m²/day) Km/h (Deg) Km/h

march 0.000 21.250 38.030 11.910 52.18 23.675 4.250 215.308 10.563

april 4.315 22.200 35.820 30.635 84.12 22.634 5.622 135.323 13.955

may 1.050 22.020 33.740 38.180 87.415 22.663 5.046 159.322 12.539

june 3.770 20.455 31.645 48.165 94.455 23.416 5.827 133.139 14.102

July 3.980 20.610 29.450 56.595 97.72 20.352 6.105 140.111 13.639

august 5.240 19.845 28.240 60.175 98.275 19.208 4.533 148.192 11.332

september 3.695 19.895 30.390 51.715 96.63 21.186 2.672 157.812 8.793

october 0.000 17.885 33.425 23.825 93.785 23.194 2.047 236.356 6.057

november 0.000 13.880 32.385 9.720 66.28 20.956 3.394 288.785 8.134

december 0.000 13.500 28.680 9.515 43.34 18.480 5.318 319.028 11.854



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Effect of Plant Population on the Growth of Hybrid-Maize ...

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